O’Reilly on Obama: Hey, I like him

posted at 8:21 pm on October 30, 2009 by Allahpundit

Halloween on “The View” brings us both Joy and Barbara dressed as … what? Elvira, maybe? I don’t even want to know. Count O’s going to take a beating in the comments for his pleasantness towards The One, but more interesting is the fact that even he doesn’t have a theory for the White House’s dopey anti-Fox offensive. I still think Politico had it right a few weeks ago, but let me give you two more possibilities to chew on. One, via Mediaite: He’s trying to shut Fox up about ObamaCare by giving them something juicier to talk about.

Since that fateful moment [when Anita Dunn attacked them on CNN], Fox News has spent a vast amount of their resources on covering the White House criticism. That’s a smart business decision — not only is it a huge story, but it helps their ratings. It puts FNC’s competitors in a tricky wicket of having to cover a story that not only involves their chief rivals, but also invites their viewers to change the channel and see what could possibly be making such a fuss! Yes, covering this story whole-heartedly was, without question, a win-win for Fox News.

But more importantly, Fox News’s coverage of the “feud” came at the expense of their coverage of the health care debate. Suddenly, there was much less hand-wringing and gnashing of teeth over death panels and town hall protests. According to the television monitoring service TVEyes, the term “health care” was mentioned by Fox 2361 times in August. In October, it was only mentioned 1558 times. Meanwhile, Anita Dunn — who wasn’t mentioned once in August — has been referenced 121 times this month.

It’s a fine theory, but wasn’t August the month when the bulk of the health-care town halls happened and the Democrats went all-out on their anti-conservative demagoguery? That was the top story on HA for weeks on end; no surprise that Fox was covering it heavily too. Plus, August was a slow month for other news. Since then, Iran negotiations have heated up, The One won the Nobel, and he flamed out at the Olympics. No wonder ObamaCare’s being mentioned a bit less these days.

Second theory, as a further thought to last night’s post on perceptions of media bias: Maybe the White House is trying to increase Fox’s visibility among the public. Why do that when it only boosts their ratings and drives more viewers to Beck? Because the larger Fox looms as a “threat” to, or foil for, the White House, the more license the rest of the media has to “balance” Fox by skewing its own coverage. Who cares if five million people watch Beck making jokes about Anita Dunn and his red phone if a combined audience of tens of millions are watching CBS, NBC, CNN, etc. report news that’s subtly biased in Obama’s favor? This goes back to that point in the Politico piece: The goal, ultimately, is to stop the other networks from following Fox’s lead on stories that hurt the White House by framing Fox as illegitimate. It’s not Fox’s audience Obama cares about; it’s everyone else’s. And the more he can convince the rest of the media to orient itself as an answer to Fox, the more that’s going to lead them towards favorable coverage. Anyway, food for thought.

Update: Speaking of “balancing” Fox, today we got the news that TPM will be joining the White House press pool. And then there was this from Paul Krugman in this morning’s NYT, openly beseeching his friends in the media to dive face-first into the tank for ObamaCare at this crucial moment.

As a result, everyone in the political class — by which I mean politicians, people in the news media, and so on, basically whoever is in a position to influence the final stage of this legislative marathon — now has to make a choice. The seemingly impossible dream of fundamental health reform is just a few steps away from becoming reality, and each player has to decide whether he or she is going to help it across the finish line or stand in its way.

Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity are standing in the way. Which impartial media patriots will rise to the challenge of standing against them?

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But more importantly, Fox News’s coverage of the “feud” came at the expense of their coverage of the health care debate. Suddenly, there was much less hand-wringing and gnashing of teeth over death panels and town hall protests.

OK, that’s just dumb. Fox hasn’t had any trouble covering the health care debate. If anything, their Balloon Boy coverage suffered, and CNN has shamed them in that regard. As for the rest, Sarah hasn’t weighed in lately, and the MSM will be all over it when she does. And the town hall protests? Congress is in session, genius.

Count O’s going to take a beating in the comments for his pleasantness towards The One, but more interesting is the fact that even he doesn’t have a theory for the White House’s dopey anti-Fox offensive.

C’mon AP, he merely said that he likes Obama, but he’s also repeatedly said on his show that it’s his POLICIES that he takes issue with. He’s also said in the past that the O Administration is shunning Fox because they’re the only ones that ask tough, challenging questions.
Just because he didn’t address both points in detail on The View doesn’t make your statement correct.
If O’Reilly is truly kissing up to Obama like you claim, I guess there’d be no reason for Obama to boycott The Factor, yet this is what has happened.

O’Reily is a big mouth and a weenie. He’s always talking about how tough he is. Bet he was the victim of the atomic wedgie more than once in high school. Tall, geek, who got his butt kicked by the really tough guys. Hasn’t recovered yet and he’s been out of school for many, many years.

It worked! Barry whined about FNC being “unfair” to him! (Whaaaa!) And O’Reilly is trying to “prove ‘em wrong!”
Shep is a tool and an idiot (shut up about your alma mater–not one cares!); Greta does what the producer’s tell her to do; the others really are objective journalists; O’Reilly panders to BHO and has since the interview; he wants an invitation to the WH. Hey O’Reilly wise up! Stop sipping the “kool-aid” and “nail this “pretender.”

O’Reilly doesn’t do any research and as a result the Dems run circles around him. The only thing he’s good at is going after ultra liberal Judges whom everyone agrees are soft on crime.

He has no choice but to give Obama the benefit of the doubt. He’s too lazy to do the work necessary to prove how extremist Obama is. Beck on the other hand works hard. This gives him the courage to speak out. O’Reilly’s so lazy he believes in AGW, because the MSM believes it. But he did examine the issue with his usual thoroughness. As he said: all you have to do is look at your thermometer.

Nonsense.If most are saying that then they are Dems, lefties, liars or afraid they will sound ‘racist’.

jeanie on October 30, 2009 at 10:38 PM

It’s fine if you don’t like Obama, but most people on the left and center, and a decent number of us on the right, think he’s mostly a good guy personally. He may be politically craven, but I’ve seen know indication that outside of politics he’s in any way a jerk.

Many people, particularly people in the center, are able to separate their political and personal opinions of someone.

Someone should tell O’Reilly that Bret Bair is a news anchor, and as such, he’s required to play it down the middle. O’Reilly’s pandering to Obama reminds me of Obama’s pandering to the Iranians. Both are driven by narcissism.

I kinda think of BOR as someone old folks watch. He doesnt bother me, cause I dont watch him. Well, unless Miller is on and I happen to remember. He gets ratings, so someone must dig his middle of the road pandering.

Many people, particularly people in the center, are able to separate their political and personal opinions of someone.

RINO in Name Only on October 30, 2009 at 11:45 PM

How can you make that assumption? Have you paid to have your own little poll done? Statements such as yours are made based on your opinion (all in your own mind), nothing more. Personally, I’m pretty pis*ed at some of the things this guy has done so uhhhhh, probably not gonna like him even if I sat down for a nice frosty Corona Extra with him. Sounds like you might be just another lib, trying to make decisions for me based on your own desires.

I did enjoy the Barney Frank takedown.redridinghood on October 30, 2009 at 11:43 PM

I didn’t. O’Reilly lacked the patience and intelligence to do the research necessary to understand Frank’s role in the Fannie Mae debacle. As a result he was unable to draw him out and instead got into an embarrassing shouting match. Frank won that match. He was slightly more restrained.

Referring to Hitchens again, he is fond of saying that the last thing you give a person in power is the benefit of the doubt. Certainly not a politician who has such a record for exploiting those benefits. To do so sort of disqualifies you as a serious journalist, or a serious person.

I used to be a loyal O’Reilly viewer, but in the last 6 mons or so it is almost droped to never. I think he has weakened his stance and has watered down his show with segments like Body Language, Hot for Words, Pop Culture quiz.
These are scary and radical times that needs a tough response and O’Reilly has droped the ball.

It’s fine if you don’t like Obama, but most people on the left and center, and a decent number of us on the right, think he’s mostly a good guy personally.

RINO in Name Only on October 30, 2009 at 11:45 PM

If you think The Precedent is a decent guy, personally, but just has some strange political ideas, then you are just absolutely clueless. Name a few of the good personality traits you see in him. He’s an arrogant moron, which is a tough hurdle to overcome, to start, but evidently you yearn to play some golf with the fool, or something …

And a well-deserved beating it is…personally, I can’t watch O’Reilly at all anymore without yelling at my TV. He’s a demagogue, an egomaniac, an imbecile, a hypocrite and a tool…I think he’s nearly as bad as Chris Matthews, but for different reasons. He does, however, have a much larger audience, which in some ways makes him potentially more dangerous.

It’s fine if you don’t like Obama, but most people on the left and center, and a decent number of us on the right, think he’s mostly a good guy personally. He may be politically craven, but I’ve seen know no indication that outside of politics he’s in any way a jerk.

Many people, particularly people in the center, are able to separate their political and personal opinions of someone.

RINO in Name Only on October 30, 2009 at 11:45 PM

I’m perfectly capable of separating political from personal attributes, take Clinton for example. I opposed his politics, but likable? Absolutely. This man is not likable. Perhaps it’s his obvious dislike of America that colors my perception. Maybe the fact that he thinks the Constitution is a flawed document, maybe it’s the childlike arrogance – “I won, get over it” “Hit back,hard”, maybe it’s the constant whining over anyone or anything that opposes him. Maybe it’s the people he’s chosen to surround himself with – you know those avowed communists, mao loving, quoting windbags. Maybe it’s the obvious, headfirst rush into destroying this country – takeover of private enterprise – dictating salaries – spreading the wealth – kissing up to dictators and publicly slapping our allies. Maybe it’s the constant lies telling you one thing and 10 minutes later something else (I know, politicians tend to do that, but this guy wins the crown) The list is long. Nice guys don’t act this way.

I question the intelligence of anyone still wanting to give ObaMao the benefit of the doubt and I have stopped paying attention to what they have to say. When they come their senses, I might start watching and listening again.

His education was deficient in that he never learned to reason. Catholic education was once the leader of reason and faith but times changed about the time O’Reilly went to school. His spinal cord (if it can be located) needs an injection. His ego (ever-present) needs a reduction. I thought the canning of his radio show would teach him a lesson but apparrently not.

How on earth anyone can still like a man who promises one thing while at the same time full knowing he plans not to honor a whit of it. How can anyone like a man who sees the values of this country as wrong and is making a headlong effort to substantially change them while mealy mouthing around hiding behind Congress. How can anyone like a man who sends out his also unlikable toadies to try and bring FOX down and watches from the side lines so he won’t have to take personal heat. Like a man like that? C’mon people, this guy has so many sneaky, underhanded habits that if I named them all the post would be longer than this too long one already is.

Bill O,Reilly is either the most naive or the most stupid person in the world.This game he,s playing just to appear moderate is going to burn him good.He,s also scared to death fox news is going to give Glenn Beck a prime time slot which will blow his ratings out of the water .

most people on the left and center, and a decent number of us on the right, think he’s mostly a good guy personally.

RINO in Name Only on October 30, 2009 at 11:45 PM

Hard to understand how anyone who doesn’t know Obama personally can make that judgement. Sure seems like the Left could never do that for Pres Bush. They judged Bush by his political actions and his friends – why shouldn’t we do the same regarding Obama? Is Obama a good guy because he has cute kids? because he has a dog? because he doesn’t beat his shrewish wife?

It’s fine if you don’t like Obama, but most people on the left and center, and a decent number of us on the right, think he’s mostly a good guy personally. He may be politically craven, but I’ve seen know indication that outside of politics he’s in any way a jerk.

Many people, particularly people in the center, are able to separate their political and personal opinions of someone.

RINO in Name Only on October 30, 2009 at 11:45 PM

I gave up this notion way-back-when he lied about what he did and didn’t hear while attending services for 20 years in the black liberation theology church of his racist spiritual mentor Jeremiah Wright.

Bill think,s his ratings are so hot but look who he,s up against.Campbell Brown and Keith Overbite.Fox could run a picture of Rush for the hr. and beat this group.Think about this .A group buys MSNBC and turns there formate in to something like Fox.6pm to 7pm Cavuto 7pm to 8pm Beck 8pm to 9pm the Rush hr.9pm to 10pm The Michelle Malkin hr.10pm to 11pm The Mark Levin show.How long do you think it would take for the new MSNBC ratings to blow O,Reilly and the rest of Fox out of the water?

Truthfully, there is very little to personally dislike about BO except his lying. Disliking his policies is not disliking him personally. I am fine with him personally except his lying. Do not like lying. That will ruin just about anyone for me. If it is wasn’t for that, there is nothing to personally dislike about him.

His policies are a different thing.

That is what the lefties did wrong with Bush. They projected their dislike for his policies onto him personally.

O’Reilly is doing everything he can to get another interview with Obama.
So what. Anybody with an opinion show or any other show for that matter would give their eye teeth to land an interview with the President.

O’Reilly donates tons of money to various and worthy causes.
Wounded Warriors being one of them.

He also goes after judges who let pedifiles off with a slap on the wrist.

He alone asked the ONLY HARD QUESTIONS Obama received during
the election.

Saying he is responsible for getting Obama elected is interesting to say the least.

MSNBC bringing in a conservative line up?
That also is interesting to say the least.

In agreement or not, I’ll take Fox with all its opinion shows and news until something better comes along.

O’Reilly was right about The Ones appearance on his show… I think it help him tremendously. It nearly brought Hillary’s campaign back to life when she appeared there. If she had done it earlier, we might even have President Hillary now.

..God, woman! You have to be the feminized incarnation of O’Reilly. From your posts, you delight in walking down the middle of the road. Must get tough dodging the traffic out there on the center stripe.

Does straddling the fence hurt much?

By the way and for the record, I hate (as in despise with a seething rage) Obama both personally and politically.

If CNN had any brains they’d go to Rush Limbaugh and give him whatever he wants to return to television and then schedule Rush opposite the Lecherous Leprechaun at 8:00 EST. Within a year, the Leprechaun would be standing in the bread lines because Rush would bury him in the ratings. Just like he did on radio. How’d that deal work out for you, Leppy?

By giving Fox the story, it stopped Hannity, and others from joining, covering Kevin Jennings, Safe Schools Czar, and his glbt agenda for public schools while having no experience or background that would have saved Derrion Albert in Chicago from murder in cross gang rivalries amid school retooling for engineered testing results to please teacher unions in the face of lowered standards or other children across the nation from harm. But Jennings bundled over $600,000+ for Obama so pay-to-play and move up the Chicago way.

I’m perfectly capable of separating political from personal attributes, take Clinton for example. I opposed his politics, but likable? Absolutely. This man is not likable. Perhaps it’s his obvious dislike of America that colors my perception. Maybe the fact that he thinks the Constitution is a flawed document, maybe it’s the childlike arrogance – “I won, get over it” “Hit back,hard”, maybe it’s the constant whining over anyone or anything that opposes him. Maybe it’s the people he’s chosen to surround himself with – you know those avowed communists, mao loving, quoting windbags. Maybe it’s the obvious, headfirst rush into destroying this country – takeover of private enterprise – dictating salaries – spreading the wealth – kissing up to dictators and publicly slapping our allies. Maybe it’s the constant lies telling you one thing and 10 minutes later something else (I know, politicians tend to do that, but this guy wins the crown) The list is long. Nice guys don’t act this way.

No one of the others’ audience can be convinced to join the O-cabal, as they’re already firmly in his pants.

It’s in fact all about Mr. Ailes. Notice how absent he’s been, except for his meeting with Axelrod. Don’t underestimate the brilliant Mr. Ailes. Obama fears to have him as an opponent in 2012, on the ticket, or off.

And then there was this from Paul Krugman in this morning’s NYT, openly beseeching his friends in the media to dive face-first into the tank for ObamaCare at this crucial moment.

…same Krugman who visited the WH…he’s not only in O’s pants…it’s a miracle he hasn’t suffocated yet.

Many people, particularly people in the center, are able to separate their political and personal opinions of someone.

RINO in Name Only on October 30, 2009 at 11:45 PM

How can you make that assumption? Have you paid to have your own little poll done? Statements such as yours are made based on your opinion (all in your own mind), nothing more. Personally, I’m pretty pis*ed at some of the things this guy has done so uhhhhh, probably not gonna like him even if I sat down for a nice frosty Corona Extra with him. Sounds like you might be just another lib, trying to make decisions for me based on your own desires.

fullogas on October 31, 2009 at 12:10 AM

Fine, you want every statement backed up by a poll, here’s your poll. Though his numbers have declined from before, Obama is still getting majorities for independents and Democrats, and significant minorities for Republicans, on personal likability issues (specifically personal warmth, caring about people like you, and even trustworthiness, though these latter two are somewhat political, since they are influenced by policy decisions he makes).

Notice that the most personal attribute, having absolutely nothing to do with politics, is personal warmth, which he gets 63% from Republicans.

If you want a more up-close opinion, just ask the secret service – the same one that despises Gore, Carter, and Hillary, and liked Reagan and the Bushes.

I never said I had a problem with your personal opinion. I don’t share it, but its hardly illegitimate. I’m just claiming that it isn’t currently shared by most people. Maybe most people are wrong and you are right, who knows?

And no, I’m not a liberal. I personally wouldn’t trust him as far as I can throw him on any matter remotely related to politics. I just don’t get the impression he’s a bad guy when you put politics aside.

They judged Bush by his political actions and his friends – why shouldn’t we do the same regarding Obama?

katiejane on October 31, 2009 at 9:54 AM

Since when did we take our cues from the simpering babies at Kos? People on the left do all sorts of other things, like celebrating when insurgents in Iraq mutilate military contractors delivering food. Should we start doing that as well? Why not, the left does it?

… most people on the left and center, and a decent number of us on the right, think he’s mostly a good guy personally. He may be politically craven, but I’ve seen know indication that outside of politics he’s in any way a jerk.

RINO in Name Only on October 30, 2009 at 11:45 PM

That’s because they base their opinion of Obama personally on what he says to their faces, rather than what they find out about him.

By this standard, anybody who doesn’t shout in anyone’s face, and doesn’t try to club anyone over the head with an axe while the camera’s rolling, is personally likeable. (Okay this is a bit exaggerated but you get the idea.)

It worked! Barry whined about FNC being “unfair” to him! (Whaaaa!) And O’Reilly is trying to “prove ‘em wrong!”

rebuzz on October 30, 2009 at 11:24 PM

I guess I have the contrarian view: I thought O’Reilly really helped his channel here, and succeeded in making the administration’s supposedly “mild-tempered” criticism of Fox look hysterical and extreme.

O’Reilly doesn’t do any research and as a result the Dems run circles around him. The only thing he’s good at is going after ultra liberal Judges whom everyone agrees are soft on crime.

He has no choice but to give Obama the benefit of the doubt. He’s too lazy to do the work necessary to prove how extremist Obama is. Beck on the other hand works hard. This gives him the courage to speak out. O’Reilly’s so lazy he believes in AGW, because the MSM believes it. But he did examine the issue with his usual thoroughness. As he said: all you have to do is look at your thermometer.

Beck had Lord Monckton on his show tonight. O’Reilly should retire.

Basilsbest on October 30, 2009 at 11:35 PM
Basilsbest on October 31, 2009 at 12:05 AM
Basilsbest on October 31, 2009 at 12:10 AM

Great comments. For my money O’Reilly still serves a useful strategic purpose, even if his help is somewhat accidental sometimes. Just an opinion, and this doesn’t mitigate all of his weak points.

I personally wouldn’t trust him as far as I can throw him on any matter remotely related to politics. I just don’t get the impression he’s a bad guy when you put politics aside.

This is a major problem in today’s society. There are not enough people who know what is right and wrong anymore because not enough people want to be labelled as being ‘judgemental’. So, what part is likable – his being a racist, an egomaniac, his choice of terrorist friends, his smug attacks, or maybe his inability to take responsibility for anything. Sorry, I don’t find a damn thing likable about Obama or his wife.

So, what part is likable – his being a racist, an egomaniac, his choice of terrorist friends, his smug attacks, or maybe his inability to take responsibility for anything.

Sporty1946 on October 31, 2009 at 10:37 PM

I’ve seen no evidence that he is a racist. Just because the left is stupid enough to throw around that term like candy, doesn’t mean we should. As for the terrorist friends, I think he’s dangerously naive about them, but that makes him stupid, not unlikeable. The other issues you mentioned are mostly political.

As for what is likable, his general affability is probably a big part of it. Also, as I mentioned above, the secret service have an up close view of him, and they liked him too – he invited them to his house several times. They contrast this a lot with Carter, Gore, and Hillary Clinton.

I have always gotten the sense that Obama’s problem isn’t that he is a nasty person, but that he is such a weak leader that is easily manipulated by more extreme people (including, in the worst cases, people like Ayers), who he lets walk all over him, and is blind to the danger they represent. This makes him functionally a bad politician and a bad president, but not an evil person at heart.

Even if I am wrong, I don’t see what this would have to do with a fear of being judgmental.

Look, O’Reilly has been in the tank for Obama since the beginning. Remember when he would daily say stuff like, don’t worry you can vote for Obama, even if he gets elected, he won’t have any money to push his agenda because America is broke.
Well, we all knew about the federal government’s ability to defect spend, as I am sure O’Reilly knew. But I believe he purposely misled his uniformed viewers and helped get Obama elected.
And lets not forget about his softball interview! Boy, nothing is more dangerous than a pretender like Bill O’Reilly!
.
Just noticed Bill O’Reilly initials BO; Barack Obama initials BO…..I’m just sayin.

Unfortunately, this well intended notion of “playing fair” with the progressives is the reason we find ourselves in the predicament we are in today! In the name of fairness we allow these people to speak their minds in our schools and now our textbooks spend more time teaching the benefits of Marxism than the tenets of our Bill of Rights. With the spirit of Civil Rights & Workers Rights we have allowed affirmative action and Unions to take root in our corporations destroying their ability to compete in the market place. Finally, in honor of our history we have thrown out the blood soaked Constitution and replaced it with the notion of Collectivism. There is no such thing as playing fair if your goal is to win the hearts and minds of people. There is only truth and consequence everything else is inconsequential!
I am wondering if Thomas Jefferson would have allowed King George to speak in front of the Constitutional Congress. Some ideas should be too absurd to entertain!

This ratings-obsessed putz has been shifting port side for the last few months in hopes of attracting an even bigger audience by enticing BOTH Obamas to his show. Every night his bathroom mirror must be fogged up by his repetitive kissing.

O’Reilly is growing creepier by the day. I can hardly watch “The O’Reilly Factor” these days. Why does he even invite guests? He loves his own voice and opinions so much that he disregards their words and sums them up before they finish a sentence. He is a self-absorbed bore and is so devoted to Obama that he is becoming Chris Matthews “light”. “The View” suits him well.